§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list his most recent estimation of the reduction in his Department's staff numbers in future in Scotland due to the implementation of new technology and operational strategy.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe staffing reduction flowing from the implementation of the operational strategy in local offices in Scotland is currently expected to be 1,100 posts between 1 April 1989 and 31 March 1992.
This reduction will be party offset by the creation of approximately 470 new jobs at the social security centre in Glasgow as a result of work being transferred from London.
Current forecasts indicate that the reduction will be achieved through natural wastage.
Staff have been assured that there will be no compulsory redundancies resulting from the implementation of the strategy.